Teeth Whitening With Braces — Does It Work?

If you are in the process of straightening your teeth, we know that you cannot wait for the day you are done with your orthodontic treatment and can see your beautiful, new smile. We know that, for many of you, the journey seems long, but the results will be more than worth the wait. Some of our adult and teen patients are eager to see improvements in their smiles and often ask if it is possible to whiten teeth while they are receiving orthodontic treatment. Continue reading to learn our answer.

Can You Whiten Teeth During Orthodontic Treatment?

If you have questioned whether you are able to whiten your teeth while receiving orthodontic treatment, we are here to tell you that it is not advisable or a good idea, but technically it depends on the treatment you are receiving:

Traditional Metal Braces

If you are a patient who wears traditional metal braces, whitening your teeth during treatment would not be advisable. Professional teeth whitening solutions can cause sensitivity issues with the enamel of your teeth. Teeth are also sensitive when receiving orthodontic treatment, so you may have extreme discomfort and sensitivity issues. Teeth whitening is also best when the teeth have recently been thoroughly cleaned and have no lingering plaque between them or along the gumline. When wearing traditional braces, there are more hiding places for plaque to linger. Whitening with plaque on your teeth can leave you with uneven results.

Clear Aligners

If you are a patient who wears clear aligners, you may be able to whiten your teeth. One of the biggest benefits of this treatment is the fact that aligners are removable, so the whitening treatment would not interfere with brackets or wires. Although technically it is possible to whiten your teeth with clear aligners, we still would not recommend whitening treatment if you have any buttons bonded to your teeth. The bottom line is that, although you can technically whiten teeth with clear aligners, we would recommend waiting until your treatment is complete. It will be amazing to see the final result of a beautiful, white smile.

If you have any questions in regard to whitening your teeth while receiving orthodontic treatment or any concerns about your care, be sure to contact our office located in Southfield, MI. We are here to help!